The six stories within, "Still and Silent," "Cold Comfort," "The King of Porn," "Miscuts," "In Between," and "Renovations," are part of a work in progress. They attempt to show how the characters, although they may seem to struggle for independence from the family unit, are in fact strengthening the bonds of connection between them. By creating a collection of stories revolving around a single family, I hope to illuminate how this tension between the desire for and the fear of affection, approval, and acceptance shapes the family as well as the characters and creates interdependent relationships. This dependence upon each other may, over time, seem to lessen in importance but never does it truly disappear. In the end, I hope these stories show how important family is, regardless of how good or had they may appear. And if you try to ignore it and pretend your need for it isn't there, sooner or later it'll smack you in the face like a sock full of pennies as a reminder. / Graduation date: 1999

Masterafhandling.

Thesis--Freie Universität Berlin. / Includes bibliographical references (p. 419-435).

Thesis (Ph. D.)--Open University. BLDSC no. DX78294.

Program--Universiẗat Giesen.

Program--Universiẗat Giesen.

Thesis (M.S.)--Wisconsin. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 63-70).

Thesis (M.L.)--University of California, Berkeley. / Includes bibliographical references.

Thesis (M.A.)--Humboldt State University, 2006. / Includes bibliographical references (leaves 79-87). Also available via Humboldt Digital Scholar.

Thesis (Ph. D.)--University of Wisconsin--Madison, 1980. / Typescript. Vita. eContent provider-neutral record in process. Description based on print version record. Includes bibliographical references (leaves 109-114).